Baja Weather

Major hurricanes are rare on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, particularly as far north as Baja. Since record keeping began in 1949, only two Category 3 or stronger hurricanes have hit Baja. Hurricane Kiko of 1989 hit the east coast of Baja near Buenavista, as a Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph winds. Kiko produced destructive winds of up to 110 mph (180 km/h) in Cabo San Lucas, and caused severe damage throughout the southern tip of Baja California. Hurricane Oliva of 1967 made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane with 125 mph winds farther north on the east coast of Baja, in a sparsely populated area. No major hurricanes have hit the west coast of Baja since 1949, so Norbert would be the first on record if it maintains Category 3 strength at landfall.

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Tropical storm Julio is spinning just off the tip of Baja California. No reports yet from Cabo San Lucas, but the port is surely closed, and the town is bracing for Julio’s landfall, expected later today. Local fleets are busy relocating their charter boats and making all necessary preparations for their personal families and properties. Farther up the peninsula, in the East Cape region, one resort sportfishing fleet is scrambling to pull boats, while others have already done so. Buena Vista resident Mark Rayor said he watched as a crew tried in vain to pull a rain-filled 28-foot cruiser out on a trailer. “They can’t bail it because waves keep coming over the transom,” Rayor said as the drama was unfolding. Rayor then added that visibility went to “zero” because of rain. Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center had extended its storm warning, which is as follows:

“The government of Mexico has extended the tropical storm warning northward along the west coast of Baja California to Punta Abreojos … and northward along the east coast to Mulege. A tropical storm warning is now in effect from Punta Abreojos on the west coast around the peninsula and northward to Mulege on the east coast. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.”

Eastern Pacific Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

Hurricane Boris (75 mph) weakened to a tropical storm yesterday, but re-intensified into a minimal hurricane overnight. Boris is centered about 1210 miles west-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and is forecast to move slowly westward and weaken with time.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Douglas (40 mph) has been christened off the west coast of Mexico. The storm, moving toward the northwest, is located about 380 miles south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, and is forecast to strengthen slowly over the next 24 hours. (more…)